Preview
  • A Shape in the Dark

  • Living and Dying with Brown Bears
  • By: Bjorn Dihle
  • Narrated by: John McLain
  • Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (34 ratings)

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A Shape in the Dark

By: Bjorn Dihle
Narrated by: John McLain
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Publisher's summary

In A Shape in the Dark, wilderness guide and lifelong Alaskan Bjorn Dihle weaves personal experience with historical and contemporary accounts to explore the world of brown bears - from encounters with the Lewis and Clark Expedition to frightening attacks including the famed death of Timothy Treadwell, the controversies related to bear hunting, the animal's place in native cultures, and the impacts on the species from habitat degradation and climate change.

Much more than a report on human-bear interactions, this compelling story intimately explores our relationship with one of the world's most powerful predators. An authentic and thoughtful work, it blends outdoor adventure, history, and elements of memoir to present a mesmerizing portrait of Alaska's brown bears and grizzlies, informed by the species' larger history and their fragile future.

©2021 Bjorn Dihle (P)2021 Tantor
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What listeners say about A Shape in the Dark

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

More about humans than bears, but still good

It wasn’t *quite* what I expected when I typed in brown bear in the search bar, but it was still quite interesting and gave me a lot to think about. It’s really about the human experience of brown bears in North America than anything else, so if you’re looking for some kind of bear encyclopedia this is not it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it <3

He has amazing insight into nature the heartbeat of the forest... the respective bears .. I'm so glad that grizzly bears are protected now.. thank you for giving me insight into what it's like to be alone in the wilderness

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

Was a fantastic read I finished it in just two days. Author has an incredible understanding and respect for bears.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Nice little book

This was a nice read. By time’s it gets a little repetitive as the writer focuses a big deal on Grizzly attacks and mauling.

Other than that I really enjoyed learning more about brown bears.

The narrator was a little over dramatic and I reckon is better suited for narrating movie trailers

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic book

Highly recommend. I’ve read a bunch of books on bears, mostly b/c I like being in the backcountry but don’t want to have or be a problem. This book fits right in with that mentality and has great info taken from the author’s life experience, from history, and from current literature. Full disclosure, I skipped over some of the 19th century carnage, I’m familiar with that period of time. The book is excellent, full of info and, the way I think of it: well-rounded. I recommend this one. Thx goes out to Dihle for writing it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Informative and enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot more about bears than I ever knew.

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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the most unexpected joys in my library

Purchased to research bears for a novel, ended up being one of my favorite audible purchases ever.

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    5 out of 5 stars

The Best Bear book I’ve read…and I have read a few

Great book! Makes me wanna move to Alaska and observer these amazing animals. It provides such a unique look at the life they life and how we can honor their life.

Also recommend No Room For Bears. Quoted a lot in this book and I am currently reading it as well.

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